Steering-post lock



C. R. AND F. H. PIGGINS.

STEERING POST LOCK.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 11, 1919.

I ,347,87 1 Patented July 27, 1920.

WITNESSES.

' INVENTORS. @[Qr w UNITED STATES? CHARLES nqrieenvs AND rnnnnnicx n r eenvs, or RACINE, W scons n. it:

. STEERING-POST 'LooK'.

Toull/wiwm it mag concern:

Be it known that we, CHARLES R. PIGGINS and -FR]:3DERICK H. PIoGINs, citizensof the United States, andresidcnts OI.RLCII16,;1I1 the county of-Racine and State of \Visconsin, have invented new'and usefulImproveme its-in SteeringPost Locks, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification. i

This invention has for its Object to provide a steering post lock for automoblles which by locking the steering wheel-against turning will prevent unauthorizednse of the car.

' Another object of the invention is to provide a lock oi this character adapted for attachment to cars without being built in.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists in thesteering post look as herein claimed and all equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which like characters of reference indi cate the same parts in different views:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional View of a steering post lock constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the plane of line 22 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the plane of line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

In these drawings 10 indicates the usual steering post consisting of a tubular rod or stemconnected at its lower end, not shown, with the steering gear and bearing at its upper end the steering wheel 11, while 12 is the usual stationary inclosing tube.

A sleeve 13 is fixed on the steering post 10 in any desirable manner in order to constitute a lock engaging member. As shown the sleeve 13 is provided with a set screw 14 for engaging the steering post 10 as one.

means for securing it in place thereon, but the main clamping means relied on for locking the two together consists of a nut 15 having a tapering threaded bore screwed onto the tapering threaded reduced endof sleeve 13 which is provided with a number of longitudinally extending slots making it somewhat flexible so that the fingers between the slots may be drawn together to grasp the steering post between them when the nut is tightened.

As there is usually insufficient space between the steering post and the tube 12 to accommodate the sleeve 13, a section of the p e on of Ilct n Patented July ,1920. r Application filed January 11, 1919. Serial no. 270,703.. I r i tube is preferablyremoved and the remaining portions are connected by a tubular-casing 16 havinga clamping bolt lfjfor drawing its split upper endflaiound one-portion of: the tube and a. set screw 18. at its other end for engaging the other portio nof the tube.

The sleeve13 has longitudinally extending groove l9adaptedlto receive a flange 20 on. :the end of a longitudinally: sliding spring-pressed bolt 21. contained in a bore of the cas1ng-16 at right-angles to the axis I of the steering post. A coil spring 22 bearing onjthe end iofthe bolt21" and for con veniencelet 1nto' a'rccess thereof aswell as a recess in a plug 23 closing the end of the bore, serves to urge the bolt inwardly to its locking engagement with the sleeve 13.

In another bore of the casing at right angles to the axis of the bolt 21 is rotatably mounted a pinion 24: having a few teeth meshing with rack teeth 25 formed in the sliding bolt 21 and a wrench key 26 fitting on the square end of pinion 2-1 affords a means by which the pinion may be turned to retract the bolt 21 from its locking engagement with the groove of sleeve 13. The

pinion 24 is confined in' its bore against longitudinal movement by fitting against a shoulder 27 at one end and against a plug 28 at the other end.

A lock 29, preferably of the pin type, is embodied in the casing 16 and has a movable slide 30 adapted to enter either of a pair of slots 31 in the sliding bolt 21 and thereby lock the bolt in its locking or unlocking position.

A plate 32 having an opening through which the tubular casinglG loosely passes, is provided with a pivotal connection 33 p with said tubular casing whereby the plate may be inclined more or less tofit against the dash or floor board through which the steering post passes. V,

In operation the sliding bolt 21, which is normally held in its unlocking position by the engagement of the lock slide 30 with the proper slot 31, does'not interfere with the turning movement of the steering post. When the barrel of the lock 29 is turned by means of the key, not shown, to withdraw the slide 30, the spring 22 forces the bolt 21 inwardly into engagement with the groove 19 of sleeve 13 and consequently the steering post is locked against movement. The bolt 21 may be locked in this locking position by i 7 bolt against the action ofits spring by'turn ing the pinion 24 by means of theswrench withdraw slide 30 from its engagement with the sliding bolt and then retract the sliding key 26. As the Wrench key 26 is removable aswell as the, clock keyyit is obvious that unauthorized use ofthe automobile is effec may prev yr p k- In practice the plugs 23 and 28 are sole dered in place so as to prevent tampering With the'lock.

WVhat We claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is a i ,1; Inca steering post lock, a casing adapted to surround a' steering post, a supportlng plate havlng ad1ust1ngp1votal connection therewith, a steering post inclosing tube,

- rm eans on the casing for clamping the steering post lnclosing tube, a steering post'sleeve within the casing provided With a recess and having a split tapering threadedend, a nut threaded on the endoi' the sleeve for clamping it to the steering post, a"'sliding bolt within the casing adapted to engage the recess of the steering post sleeve, means for sliding 'bolt.

the bolt, and a lock for locking the in 2.111, a steeringvpost lock, the combination, with the steering post, of a sectional post standard, a tubular casing connecting sections ofsaid standard together, a sup porting plate pivotally connected to the cas- 1ng,a member on the steering post having a locking recess therein, and locking means carried by the casing and cooperating with V saidirecess to secure the steerlng post against rotation. V V V V is v. In testimony whereof, we afiix our signatures', in presence of two Witnesses.

CHARLES R. PIGGINS.

FREDERICK H; PIGGINS. V

' Witnesses': I I PETER NELSON, I IIULDA QLsoN. 

